Case Report: Severe Hypercalcemia Following Vitamin D Intoxication in an Infant, the Underestimated Danger of Dietary Supplements

Alexandre Gérard (1) , Audrey Fresse (1) , Myriam Gast (2) , Diane Merino (1) , Pierre Gourdan (1) , Audrey Laurain (1) , Irène Margaritis (3) , Pierre-Alexis Gauci (1) , Fanny Huret (3) , Nadège Parassol (1) , Fanny Rocher (1)

1 CHU Nice - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice
2 Centre Hospitalier de Bastia
3 DER - Direction de l'Evaluation des Risques

Vitamin D supplementation is routinely introduced in infants, according to medical guidelines. However, vitamin D overdose can result in life-threatening hypercalcemia. We report the case of a 3-month-old infant who suffered from severe hypercalcemia. Upon detailed questioning of the parents, a vitamin D administration error has been identified. Indeed, the parents had followed the advice of their midwife. They substituted the prescribed medicinal vitamin D by a dietary supplement, different in concentration and dosing, without performing the dose conversion needed. In fact, many different medications and dietary supplements with vitamin D exist, offering various concentrations and units of measurement. This case highlights the pivotal role of therapeutic education. Broadly, there is a need for harmonization of the regulation and labeling of dietary supplements and medications containing vitamin D.

Mots clés: vitamin D; overdose; intoxication; dietary supplement; hypercalcemia; pharmacovigilance; misuse; case report

Domaines: Alimentation et Nutrition; Toxicologie et chaîne alimentaire; Pédiatrie

Alexandre Gérard, Audrey Fresse, Myriam Gast, Diane Merino, Pierre Gourdan, et al.. Case Report: Severe Hypercalcemia Following Vitamin D Intoxication in an Infant, the Underestimated Danger of Dietary Supplements. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2022, 10, pp.816965. ⟨10.3389/fped.2022.816965⟩. ⟨anses-03597737⟩